What is chaining in aba?

Chaining in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) is a teaching technique that involves breaking down complex skills into smaller, more manageable steps, and then teaching each step in a sequential order until the entire skill is mastered.

The chaining procedure involves identifying the initial and final steps of the skill being learned, and then systematically teaching each intermediate step in between. For example, to teach a child how to brush their teeth independently, the initial step may be to retrieve the toothbrush and toothpaste from the bathroom cabinet, while the final step may be to rinse their mouth and spit out the toothpaste. The intermediate steps may then be broken down into smaller components such as applying toothpaste to the brush, brushing each tooth individually, and spitting out the toothpaste into the sink.

ABA utilizes two types of chaining techniques: forward chaining and backward chaining. In forward chaining, the initial step is taught first and the remaining steps are added in sequence. In backward chaining, the last step is taught first and the remaining steps are added in reverse sequence until the initial step is achieved.

Overall, chaining is a useful teaching technique in ABA because it enables individuals to learn complex skills step-by-step, at their own pace and with positive reinforcement for each successful step taken.